28/03/2024 - The Mediterranean island’s biggest festival has announced its full line-up, while the Cypriot Films Competition returns for this edition, which unspools from 12-20 April

The 22nd edition of the Cyprus Film Days International Festival is rapidly approaching. As the foremost international film event in Cyprus, it is set to take place from 12-20 April at its traditional venues in the country's two primary cities: the Rialto Theatre in Limassol and the Zena Palace Cinema in Nicosia. This year's selection, curated by the festival's artistic directors, Argyro Nicolaou and Marios Lizides, comprises a diverse and bold array of films tackling the significant social and artistic issues of our times.

The Glocal Images International Competition will showcase seven international works that are in line with current cinematic tendencies. Among these are 78 Days [+see also:
film review
interview: Emilija Gašić
film profile] by Emilija Gašić (Serbia), A Strange Path by Guto Parente (Brazil), Animal [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Sofia Exarchou
film profile] by Sofia Exarchou (Greece/Austria/Romania/Cyprus/Bulgaria), Dreaming & Dying by Nelson Yeo (Singapore/Indonesia), Inshallah a Boy [+see also:
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trailer
film profile] by Amjad Al Rasheed (Jordan/Saudi Arabia/Qatar/France), The Teacher [+see also:
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film profile] by Farah Nabulsi (UK/Palestine/Qatar) and Slow [+see also:
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interview: Marija Kavtaradze
film profile] by Marija Kavtaradze (Lithuania/Sweden/Spain).

Moreover, the Cypriot Films Competition section highlights four distinctive titles by Cypriot directors, promising to be a highlight of this year’s edition. These movies are also contenders in the Glocal Images International Competition section. They are Africa Star by Adonis Florides (Cyprus), Detached House by Ioakim Mylonas (Cyprus/Greece), Embryo Larva Butterfly [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Kyros Papavassiliou
film profile] by Kyros Papavassiliou (Cyprus/Greece) and Five Shilling Nylon by Christos Shopahas (Cyprus).

Slovak film producer Katarína Tomková leads the five-member international jury that will present Cyprus Film Days’ awards. Joining her on the panel are Turkish-Cypriot DoP Emre Erkmen, French film critic Sandra Onana, Greek writer-director Asimina Proedrou and Berlin-based Palestinian filmmaker Juna Suleiman. This year's screening schedule is further enhanced by “The Jury Presents” segment, spotlighting three films selected from the repertoires of the festival's international jury members: Behind the Haystacks [+see also:
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film profile] by Asimina Proedrou (Greece/Germany/North Macedonia), Black Box [+see also:
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film profile] by Asli Özge (Germany/Belgium) – which was lensed by Emre Erkmen – and Mussolini's Sister [+see also:
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film profile] by Juna Suleiman (Israel).

The non-competitive Viewfinder section – a close-up on contemporary world cinema – will feature five globally acclaimed productions, including some of the most buzz-worthy films that deeply resonated with global viewers. These are Afire [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Christian Petzold
film profile] by Christian Petzold (Germany), Do Not Expect Too Much from the End of the World [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Radu Jude
film profile] by Radu Jude (Romania/Luxembourg/France/Croatia), Green Border [+see also:
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film profile] by Agnieszka Holland (Poland/Czech Republic/France/Belgium), The Old Oak [+see also:
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film profile] by Ken Loach (UK/France/Belgium) and Perfect Days [+see also:
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film profile] by Wim Wenders (Japan/Germany). Set for a special screening at Zena Palace in Nicosia is Bye Bye Tiberias [+see also:
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trailer
interview: Lina Soualem
film profile] by Lina Soualem (France/Palestine/Belgium/Qatar), a documentary chronicling the journey of four generations of Palestinian women. The Children and Youth section, meanwhile, will showcase five films for younger audiences.

Cyprus Film Days is co-organised by the Deputy Ministry of Culture of Cyprus and the Rialto Theatre in Limassol, under the auspices of the municipalities of Limassol and Nicosia, in partnership with CIPA Film in Cyprus.